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Gift-giving guide for farmers
2 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by CB Sowder 1 day ago.

Making money on a small farm

Replied Nov 23

Making money on a small farm
7 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Chad Heveline Nov 27.

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January 13, 2010 to January 15, 2010 – Orlando, FL

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Latest Activity

CB Sowder replied to John Walter's discussion 'Gift-giving guide for farmers'

Gloves and flashlights.

yesterday

Rachel M. Fishback replied to John Walter's discussion 'Gift-giving guide for farmers'

Very Interesting! I found some things my hubby would like:)

on Wednesday

John Walter added a discussion

Gift-giving guide for farmers

Our staff just put together a "slideshow" of holiday gift ideas for farmers. I think it's probably the best one we've ever done. It includes items for the shop, office, barn, field, and kitchen--and some stuff just for fun. Also, there's an idea f...

December 1

Chad Heveline replied to John Walter's discussion 'Making money on a small farm'

I'm inclined to agree with Melissa. If you enjoy doing veg farming. I farm full time and my primary income comes from the vegetable end through a CSA and farmers market. I make up the rest in livestock. If you wanted to raise Livestock there is a ...

November 27

Hans Geier replied to John Walter's discussion 'Making money on a small farm'

That is his decision alone. He may want some assistance to define his vision and to make it happen, however. There is much assistance available, including local Extension, and USDA agencies (FSA, NRCS, SCS, etc.).

November 26

Michael replied to John Walter's discussion 'Making money on a small farm'

I would agree, hang on to it. Work a day job and use the farm profits to add to your land base and improve the land, or just keep it the same size and concentrate on specialty crops/markets that fit the 60 acre nitch. It all depends on your drive ...

November 24

Eric Isernhagen replied to John Walter's discussion 'Making money on a small farm'

If he is wondering if 60 acres is worth his time then maybe he is not cut out to farm in the first place. 60 acres is a place to start. What is he waiting for a 1000 acres to drop in his lap? If he can't make money on 60 acres then he can't make m...

November 24

John Walter replied to John Walter's discussion 'Making money on a small farm'

There's gotten to be some good additional input over on that discussion thread about getting started on a small farm. A summary of some of the advice: * "Management always pays better than labor." * "You want to be sure of your market before you...

November 23

John Walter's Videos

Thoughts from the combine cab

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John Walter's Blog

Other ag enterprises

A good majority of farmers have a second ag-related enterprise, and there’s little limit on the imagination people bring to these enterprises, according to a recent Agriculture Online poll. Only 21% of the nearly 300 farmers taking the survey said they don’t have another enterprise besides the farm.

The most popular selections were seed production and sales (15%) and custom farming (12%). Other enterprises on the list included trucking, m… Continue

Posted on November 4, 2009 at 2:56pm — 4 Comments

Your harvest photos: "Let's roll!"

I just put together a "slideshow" on Agriculture.com of a selection of harvest photos from our social network here. I borrowed the "let's roll" theme from Shane Newbrough's combine add-on. Seems appropriate this year, given all the challenges a lot of you have faced.

I hope this coverage helps our Web site visitors, and the general public, better understand what's happening out on the land this fall.

Thanks to ever… Continue

Posted on October 26, 2009 at 11:39am — 3 Comments

Mobile Web site launched

Hi, people: We're launching a new mobile Web site today over on Agriculture.com, which has the latest futures quotes, cash prices, commentary and other commodity info. The site includes our top story of the day, weather radar and forecasts, and more.

One section we're particularly excited about is the commodity "heat maps."

If you have a browser on your phone, you can navigate to the site at: http://www.agriculture.com/mobile

You… Continue

Posted on August 26, 2009 at 11:00am —

Well-managed beginning farms can thrive in uncertain times

I just posted a story on Agriculture Online, Well-managed beginning farms can thrive in uncertain times, by Dan Looker, who attended a conference for young and beginning farmers in Omaha this week.

The piece covers a presentation by Dave Kohl, an ag finance expert who's also had lots of practical experience, including a deal in which he invested in and helped turn around… Continue

Posted on August 21, 2009 at 2:30pm — 11 Comments

New Farmers for the Future slideshow

We just put together a selection of member-submitted photos, called Summer Scenes. I hope it gives you a sense of what's happening around the country this summer. Thanks to everyone who uploaded photos and for those who corresponded with me as we put this piece together. Wish we could have used a hundred more from our great collection here. The more than… Continue

Posted on July 20, 2009 at 3:43pm — 1 Comment

Comment Wall (62 comments)

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At 8:58am on November 23, 2009, Kevin Wright said…: thanks john, and no combines are just getting warmed up for the year!

At 4:58pm on November 19, 2009, Machinery Pete said…: Thanks John...for all you do to make the show what it is...."you da man!"

Geez, was down to the recording studio in Des Moines today to do some audio voiceovers for upcoming episodes of the "Machinery Show". The crew had me in front of a green screen. 1st time ever done that before. Maybe they can make clouds fly over my head like they do with Dave on the opening?? Fun stuff.

Greg
www.machinerypete.com

At 12:34pm on September 3, 2009, Luke Hicks said…: Thanks I appreciate it. I got on here to hopefully spread the word about california agriculture mainly the west side of the san jauquin valley. I'm not sure if anybody knows the situation there but it is not good. Congress has basically robbed of us our water to save a 2" minow called the smelt. My family has farmed there since the early 1970's and this is the hardest year i think we have had. I am a 22 yr old attending CSU fresno majoring in crop prod management. I have loved farming all my life and am very passionate about it. I have become even more passionate about it this year with everything that has gone on. Well sorry to ramble on, but I am glad to be hear and look foward to taking with everyone.

At 9:33am on August 24, 2009, Erin Capps said…: Hi John,
I live and work out of a home office in Ankeny, however, my family's farm is in SE Iowa, near Hedrick. Are you familiar with the area? We should get together and do coffee sometime!

At 7:05am on July 28, 2009, scott thornton said…: Thanks John,
I don't know how well a souther boy will fit in with all these mid-westerners. What little we have to harvest should be ready about early to mid September. We planted late because the wet spring, then didn't get any rain from mid May to July.

At 3:50am on July 26, 2009, hamed zakikhani said…: thanks john

At 11:19pm on July 7, 2009, Travis Michael Carpenter said…: Thanks John
I look forward to hearing from you

At 12:06pm on June 5, 2009, Kyle Witzke said…: Thanks, all crops around here are growing good if we get rain this weekend like were suppose to it will really grow, the land that got worked this year is alot better than the no-till.

At 1:01pm on May 14, 2009, Scott said…: I sent you a email rather than use the reply feature hope it works this time.

At 6:43am on May 14, 2009, Scott said…: John, I replied to your email if you didn't get it let me know.

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